Though he was in his second year at the school, Elliot had been held back into the new youngster class, adding to their number.  Though he seemed a kind enough boy, it was no small jump to know that he would be the first to be culled from their ranks if someone was to be kicked out.  Though he was probably smart enough for a baker's son, he was bounds behind the rest of the students, even some of the rich ones, when it came to spell casting.  He was clumsy when it came to his hand motions and often mispronounced a word or two, usually leading to nothing, although once had created such a spectacular ball lightning in his Air College class that Sir Neranmal had been overjoyed, until he realized the whole thing had been a fluke.